The state of the movie industry continues down the same path as it’s been moving over the past decade. We are close to having new movies available in the comfort of our own homes which will make movie theaters unnecessary in the future. At the same time, we are also racing further and further away from originality and creativity. Fresh ideas and funny comedies are in short supply these days; it’s just not important or profitable enough for the major film studios to promote these type of films. All they need to do is make a new superhero movie, promote it a little, and it will make them some money. It’s just too simple of a formula for them to do anything different. So, for most of the year, there tends to be a lot of filler with the occasional accidental hit. Then we get the big sequels and superhero movies that rule the summer. Then in the fall, we get the award consideration films that come out. This is a chance to see the best offerings from the studios over a short period of time. Generally, these award films are serious in nature. They aspire to be important and timely to stoke interest and voters. After being a voting film critic for the past twenty years, one thing I know for sure: it’s not very often that we get more than ten really good movies released within a calendar year, and 2017 is no different. Hollywood is a business and money rules; the truth is the best entertainment is typically on television programming these days. TV/streaming programs take chances and champion newness and creativity and let the viewers decide what is good and what is not. There is always something buzzworthy and new around the corner that the viewers discover and create interest in. Television and streaming programming are blazing a trail with great new content, but movies are stuck in a creative rut. Do you want to go out and have a laugh? Where were the great comedies this year? I couldn’t find one that was memorable or laugh-out-loud funny. The vast majority of movies released are average and predictable, and that is not a good thing. But, there is always hope that things can get better. There is still nothing better than sitting down for a couple of hours and taking in a great movie. The journey filmmaking can take you on in just a short period of time is a beautiful thing. Here are the ten films that were the best for me this year. There are three tiers in this list: the first four are new and award worthy selections, the next three are sequels, and the last three are creative, original concepts that offered something new and different. I hope that you find a few of these that you didn’t see and you enjoy the movies. Happy New Year, all my best in 2018!

Lady Bird – My favorite movie of the year. It’s a story about adolescence, family, people and love. Great direction and acting. Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf are perfect in their roles.

The Post – Spielberg, Hanks and Streep team up for a very well-done film based on actual events. Just a solid good movie.

I, Tonya – An odd stylistic film about one of the most famous events in Olympic history. This ridiculous drama may have single handedly started the tabloid generation.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – Crafty story that has three of the best acting performances of the decade in one movie. The overall film is just ok, but the acting of Woody, Frances and Sam is unforgettable.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – One of the most entertaining franchises ever returns and does not disappoint.

John Wick 2 – The style and action in these films is excellent. The good guy is going to win every time and in epic fashion, it’s beautiful violence.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi – A classic franchise returns with the focus on Luke Skywalker one more time. Not an upgrade overall, but good enough and entertaining.

Baby Driver – An odd and interesting car chase movie with memorable music and characters.

Wind River – This has a quiet and distant feel with new characters and strange happenings. Jeremy Renner makes this movie better than it should be.

Get out – This is a unique film that hits on many different genres throughout. It’s so refreshingly different and its awkwardness is its charm.